Custom badges for vehicles

Abstract

The present invention, Simple Custom Auto Badge (SCAB), relates to decorating or rebranding a car. SCAB covers the existing manufacture emblem by fitting over and attaching securely to the automobile body or grill, to provide a platform where the user (automobile owner) can display an emblem or logo of choice. The face may consist of art, pictures, words, phrases, and numbers or may just be colored or shaped differently than the manufacture emblem that it covers. It will come in various shapes. The SCAB will be manufactured to fit securely, cover, and attach around the existing manufacturer's emblem.

Claims

1. A custom badge for a vehicle having an emblem affixed to the vehicle body, the custom badge comprising: a body defining a cavity sized to receive the vehicle emblem therein and a perimeter sized to surround the vehicle emblem; and means at the perimeter of the body for attaching the body to the vehicle with the vehicle emblem contained within the cavity of the body, wherein the means for attaching includes one or more magnets mounted to the body within the cavity of the body.

2. The custom badge of claim 1, wherein the body includes an exposed face, the exposed face including a logo or design different from the vehicle emblem.

3. A custom badge for a vehicle having an emblem affixed to the vehicle body, the custom badge comprising: a body defining a cavity sized to receive the vehicle emblem therein and a perimeter sized to surround the vehicle emblem; and means at the perimeter of the body for attaching the body to the vehicle with the vehicle emblem contained within the cavity of the body, wherein the means for attaching includes a hook and loop fastener arrangement, with at least one hook and loop fastener mounted to the vehicle and at least another hook and loop fastener mounted to the badge within the perimeter of the badge.

4. The custom badge of claim 3, wherein the body includes an exposed face, the exposed face including a logo or design different from the vehicle emblem.

5. A custom badge for a vehicle having an emblem affixed to the vehicle body, the custom badge comprising: a body defining a cavity sized to receive the vehicle emblem therein and a perimeter sized to surround the vehicle emblem; and means at the perimeter of the body for attaching the body to the vehicle with the vehicle emblem contained within the cavity of the body, wherein the means for attaching includes a number of cable ties passing through corresponding openings in the badge and the vehicle body.

6. The custom badge of claim 5, wherein the body includes an exposed face, the exposed face including a logo or design different from the vehicle emblem.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example manufacturer's logo (front of automobile)

(2) FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an example manufacturer's logo (rear of automobile)

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the SCAB

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of a SCAB Face (the decorative addition to the SCAB)

(5) FIG. 4a is a profile view of the SCAB, manufacture emblem, and car body showing plastic tab and magnet attachment solution

(6) FIG. 4b is a profile view of the SCAB, manufacture emblem, and car body showing hook and loop fastening solution

(7) FIG. 4c is a profile view of the SCAB, manufacture emblem, and car body showing a zip tie looping attachment solution

(8) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example SCAB Face (Smiley, round)

(9) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear of an automobile without a SCAB

(10) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rear of an automobile with a SCAB (rear, smiley)

LABELS ON THE FIGURES

(11) A. Outer rim of the manufacturer's logo (front, plastic metal-looking, grill integrated)

(12) B. Embossed manufacturer's logo

(13) C. Voided area of the manufacturer's logo

(14) D. Manufacturer's logo (rear)

(15) E. Void area revealing car body

(16) F. Decorative attachment location

(17) G. Automobile body panel

(18) H. Manufacture Emblem

(19) I. Manufacture Emblem

(20) J. Automobile bodycar grill

(21) 1. Back (underside) of SCAB

(22) 2. Rim of SCAB

(23) 3. Example of hook and loop fastening solution between SCAB and car body

(24) 4. Example of hole used for zip tie fastening solution

(25) 5. Zip tie fastening solution

(26) 6. Void area to fit securely over the manufacturer's logo

(27) 7. Body of SCAB

(28) 8. Body of SCAB

(29) 9. Body of SCAB

(30) 10. Body of SCAB

(31) 11. Set screw or securing pin or plastic tab fastening solution

(32) 12. Magnetic fastening solution

(33) 13. Hook and loop (and other flexible adhesive application) fastening solution

(34) 14. Zip tie or corded attachment solution

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(35) The SCAB shown in FIG. 2 is adapted to be attached to the vehicle around any manufacturer's emblem FIG. 1A, 1B. It is adapted to affix solidly to the vehicle body fitting around the manufacturer's emblem to cover it completely.

(36) The SCAB Face FIG. 3 may include a custom design, such as a unique logo, a team logo, a picture, and the like of any shape size or durable material. It is affixed to the SCAB however necessary. The SCAB defines a cavity (1) at its back or underside that is sized to receive the vehicle emblem entirely therein. The perimeter (2) or rim of the SCAB is also sized to completely surround the vehicle emblem. The perimeter (2) may be in the form of a flange with a flat underside surface for flush contact with the vehicle body. The SCAB can have different geometric shapes, such as rectangular as shown in FIG. 2 or circular as shown in FIG. 5, provided that the cavity and perimeter engulf the vehicle emblem. Alternatively, the SCAB can have the same shape as the vehicle emblem. The body has a height or thickness that is sufficient to cover the vehicle emblem without projecting too far from the vehicle body.

(37) The SCAB may be formed with a variety of materials, as described above. The SCAB (8, 9, 10) may possess connection mechanisms or means for attaching the SCAB to the vehicle body, such as plastic connector tabs (11), magnets (12), hook and loop fasteners (13), various other adhesive materials (13), and/or other connection devices such as foam fill. The plastic connector tabs (11) project inwardly from the perimeter of the SCAB to engage the vehicle emblem itself as shown in FIG. 4a. The connector tabs (11) may be replaced with set screws or position pins that are fastened to the perimeter of the SCAB and configured to be driven inward to engage the vehicle emblem. Other means for attaching the SCAB to the vehicle can include form-fitted features within the cavities (6), that are configured for a snug fit around the manufacturer's emblem on a vehicle. In the example of FIG. 2, the SCAB) fits over the manufacture emblem, such as shown in FIG. 1, to allow the display of a custom emblem (as depicted in FIG. 5).

(38) FIG. 6 shows a normal automobile without a SCAB while FIG. 7 is the same automobile with a SCAB display. As shown in FIG. 4a, the vehicle body and the SCAB (8) include mating connector tabs. Alternatively or in addition, the SCAB may include magnets (12) that are magnetically attracted to the vehicle body. In FIG. 4b, mating hook and loop fasteners (13) may be applied around the perimeter of the SCAB (9) and to the vehicle body (G) around the vehicle emblem. In FIG. 4c, the SCAB (10) includes zip ties (14) that pass through the perimeter of the SCAB and through appropriate openings in the vehicle body (J).

(39) The application of this new way to customize an automobile is depicted by FIG. 7, in which the automobile emblem on the back of a car is covered with a SCAB having a smiley face.

(40) The present invention contemplates a simple custom auto badge (SCAB) that covers the existing automobile manufacturer's emblem.

(41) The SCAB may incorporate the following features: 1. The SCAB is molded to fit to and around the existing manufacturer's logo 2. The SCAB attaches securely to the automobile and covers the existing manufacturer's logo 3. The SCAB may attach to the car body and cover the manufacturer's logo 4. The SCAB may attach to the car grill and cover the manufacturer's logo 5. The SCAB provides a platform to display a custom logo or graphic 6. The SCAB can be a similar shape and size as the existing logo 7. The SCAB may be a completely different size or shape compared to the existing manufacturer's logo 8. The SCAB may be manufactured from various plastics, metals, and other materials 9. The SCAB attaches to the automobile by us of adhesive materials, magnets, secure ties, set screws, lock pins, tabs, straps, tap screws, or some other method of secure attachment such as a hook and loop system 10. The SCAB may be attached permanently or may be removed or replaced